Denver Nuggets center Mason Plumlee was the team’s unsung hero in Game 6.
While most of the media attention has went to Denver Nuggets star (or perhaps, superstar) Jamal Murray after he delivered another sensational performance in Game 6, another player who truly stood out only played 11 minutes and didn’t score a single point. Seven-year veteran Mason Plumlee.
Plumlee played with a passion that was contagious, had weakside defensive efforts that helped contribute to multiple stops and attacked the boards relentlessly while he was on the floor. An athletic center (and fairly-skilled passer), Plumlee finished the game with five rebounds (three on the offensive end), a steal, a block and an assist.
Although he didn’t score any points, he was a +11 in the 11 minutes he was on the court and helped the second unit tremendously as they closed the gap on the Utah Jazz. Before Plumlee stepped on the court with 3 minutes and 24 second left in the first quarter, the Nuggets found themselves down 18-28. After he was subbed out for Nikola Jokic with 8 minutes and 42 seconds left in the second quarter, Denver was up 42-40.
That’s a 12-point swing and one that likely swung the game with momentum back on the Nuggets’ side; without his play in the second unit, the Jazz could have extended what was already a double-digit lead rather than seeing it dwindle into nothingness.
Plumlee would return to the court with 49.8 seconds left in the third quarter and leave with 8 minutes and 32 seconds left in the fourth quarter and in that time, he grabbed two of his offensive rebounds. Although those offensive rebounds didn’t lead to second-chance points, they prevented Utah from getting the ball and his energy proved to be — once again — infectious.
With the threat of Jokic’s three-point shot (he’s shot 48.8% from deep this series) forcing Jazz defensive stalwart Rudy Gobert to leave the paint and guard him on the perimeter, as well as Joker’s all-around offensive talent, it’s difficult to keep him off the floor for Plumlee. Nonetheless, Plumlee had what was undoubtedly his best game of the series on Sunday and his performance helped keep Denver alive in the first round.
According to NBA Advanced Stats, Plumlee held Jazz shooters to 40.0% shooting on two-pointers in Game 6 and contested 6 two-point attempts (the second-most on the team). His two screen assists led to 6 points for Denver’s offense.
The game ball, if there was one, should have gone to Murray. But if they could give Plumlee a slice of it, the Nuggets certainly should have.